To Block Stolen Wealth Safe Havens, Buhari Heads for Anti-graft Summit in London

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari will be heading for London on Tuesday to join other world leaders seeking for ways to dismantle safe havens for stolen wealth at an international Anti-Corruption Summit slated for Thursday in the British capital.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari would deliver a keynote address titled: “Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together” on Wednesday at a pre-summit conference of development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups.

“As an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption, President Buhari will play a prominent part in the summit which will be hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain with many other Heads of State and Government in attendance,” Adesina said.

The statement said that Buhari was one of the world leaders scheduled to speak at the opening session of the Anti-Corruption Summit with others, including Prime Minister Cameron and the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.
He said Buhari would later join other participating heads of State and Government at special plenary sessions on Exposing Corruption, Tackling Corruption and Driving out Corruption.

Adesina, who gave an insight into what the president would say at the summit and interactions with other participating leaders, said the president would urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

He said Buhari would also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials.

Buhari’s delegation to the Summit will include the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Before returning to Abuja on Friday, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism, as well as other issues, including trade and economic relations between both countries.